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Our global work

Keys of Change is a global charity providing access to music education to young people around the world. Music is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and even time. For young people coming from difficult circumstances, the transformative power of music can be life-changing. In our projects, from the slums of India to children homes in Ghana and evacuation centres in Fukushima, music has the power to uplift, inspire, and empower. By offering a sense of community and belonging, music can help young people overcome feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Through the discipline of practice and performance, music can instill confidence and cultivate a sense of self-worth. Music has the ability to transcend social, economic, and cultural boundaries, giving young people a voice and a way to express themselves. In turn, this empowerment can help young people reach their full potential and create more hopeful futures for themselves and their communities, all around the world.

Get to Know Us

Keys of Change; a global beacon of hope, transforming lives through the universal language of music. With a vibrant, passionate melody, we create magic across international borders, uniting hearts and minds. Our mission: to empower, inspire, and uplift those in need, giving them the courage to overcome adversity and embrace a hopeful future. Join us in this harmonious journey, where together, we can strike the right chord and make a lasting impact on lives worldwide. 

Chennai Youth Sinfonietta

Breaking Barriers

Keys of Change first came to Chennai in May 2019. Western classical music has a limited presence in South India but interest has been increasing. There was no regular orchestra or youth orchestra performing in the city, yet more and more young students are learning Western instruments. Keys of Change became part of a group of partners assisting in the creation of a youth orchestra in the city of Chennai, which would be open to players of all levels and backgrounds, but particularly to those contending with difficulties in life. It aimed to be an empowerment opportunity for all those involved.

Fukushima Youth Sinfonietta

A Beacon of Hope

The Fukushima Youth Sinfonietta is one of the most positive things to emerge from the devastation of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan. Set up by UK charity Keys of Change in partnership with schools in Fukushima, initially to bring hope to the young people in the area, the orchestra has made rapid musical strides and has already performed in the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London (2014 and 2019), Tokyo Opera City (2015), Boston Symphony Hall (2016), Bangkok Siam Pic Ganesha Theatre (2017) and Suntory Hall (2018). 

Accra "Keys" Youth Orchestra

From Rhythms to Empowerment

Keys of Change is committed to nurturing young musicians in Accra, empowering them with skills that will last a lifetime. Keys of Change has been involved in Ghana since 2018, providing music education and performance opportunities to young Ghanaians who come from harsh and deprived backgrounds. With programmes like the Accra Youth Sinfonietta, which we helped launch in 2019, and music classes at Kinder Paradise children's home, we use music as a tool to improve the lives of Ghanaian children. 

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Santa Cecilia Youth Orchestra

Symphony of Dreams

The empowering effect of music on young Mexican minds is evident in the outskirts of Oaxaca. Our programme in Oaxaca supports the musical education of 50 young students living on the outskirts of the city, in a community next to the landfill. The motto of the community is “while Oaxaca gives us their garbage, we give them back music”. Since 2021 Keys of Change has enabled two teachers to be based there or to visit regularly. Together, they provide more than 60 hours of classes a month.

Cerritos "Keys" Brass Band

Echoes of the Andes

“A village without music is a village without a soul”, says a local proverb, and so the village of Cerritos, located deep in the mountains of the Ecuadorian Andes. Responding to a request from local community representatives, we launched a new programme in Ecuador involving 20 young people. This group, who live in a village deep in the Andes, had been dreaming of creating a wind and brass band in order to preserve their unique culture and ancestral traditions. With the help of Keys of Change, this dream is now a reality.

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Quito "Keys" Guitar Group

Strings of Triumph

In Ecuador, the country where we started teaching music in 2011, our music programme goes from strength to strength. Ecuador is the first musical project Keys of Change created back in 2011. With the help of our local partner, the Condor Trust for Education, we continue to support the musical education of twenty children from deprived backgrounds who live in and around Quito.

World Youth Sinfonietta

Harmonising the World

Keys of Change has launched its Digital World Youth Sinfonietta, bringing together young musicians from around the world for an extraordinary virtual musical experience. With talented musicians from countries such as Mexico, India, Russia, Ghana, and Ecuador, this innovative initiative combines technology with artistic expression, connecting young people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and providing them with the opportunity to create music together. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the digital World Youth Sinfonietta is a shining example of how creativity and community can still thrive in the face of adversity.

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Join Our Global Mission

We are seeking passionate music educators

Are you looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to teach music in some of the most vulnerable communities around the world?  We are currently recruiting talented and passionate music educators to join our team and work in our programs in various locations around the globe. As a Keys of Change music teacher, you'll have the chance to work with students from diverse backgrounds and inspire them to pursue their musical passions. You'll be part of a team that's committed to making a difference and helping students unlock their full potential. If you're ready for an adventure and to make a positive impact through music education, we want to hear from you.

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